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Five Star Performer: Olesiak Brothers
This week's News 5 Five Star Performer sponsored by Aurora Cooperative brings us to Fonner Park Race Track in Grand Island.
This year's 2013 riding championship look like it could be won by a jockey named Olesiak, but not the same Olesiak who won it last year.. "Spice Swirl, Jake Olesiak capturing the lead now sets sail for home opening up two and a half lengths over Sookie's Kookies trying to advance from second, T Jays Affiar can do no more, third and Spice Swirl defends her championship here in the Orphan Kist drawing off by almost six lengths," says track announcer Steve Anderson last Saturday at the Orphan Kist. This Ophan Kist victory for Jake Olesiak aboard the horse Spice Swirl is 1 of 18 so far in the 2013 meeting for this Minnesota native. With 20 dates to go it looks like he's on his way to the riding championship this year at Fonner. "O, I couldn't ask for a better start, I rode a couple of good horses in the stakes and it's been real good so far," said Jake Olesiak, 18 victories at Fonner Park in 2013. Now as the late Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story. Jake finished 3rd in victories last season at Fonner. Which jockey finished first? None other than Jake's brother Jordan Olesiak,who just happens to be in 2nd place in victories right now. "O, it's going all right coming off an injury. I can't complain, anyway. It's been better than expected I guess." said Jordan Olesiak, Fonner Park leading winner in 2012. And not just any injury. Jordan was thrown from his horse during a race last year at the now torn down track at State Fair Park in Lincoln. That he is riding a horse at all, let alone in competition is amazing. "I broke my lower back and disclosed my hip and cracked and chipped my hip," said Jordan. Fonner track announcer Steve Anderson says part of the reason why Jake and Jordan are so successful is that they have the same agent, Danny Couglin Jr, who is the best agent here at the track and can get them aboard the best horses with the best chance to win. He also knows when they race against each other, it gets intense out there. "Jake, although he's only a couple of years younger than Jordan. He's still kind of feeling his way in this game. He can come out and work a horse in the morning and doesn't really know what he's sitting on. Jordan on the other hand, he's a horseman deluxe. When they get on the battle field so to speak, they want to beat each other," said Steve Anderson, Fonner Park Track Announcer. Each race day, both Jake and Jordan try to ride a horse in every one of the eight or nine races. Steve Anderson is used to calling the winning Olesiak name whether it be Jake or Jordan. Getting the job done over Sookie's Kookies, and T Jays Affiar. |
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